ENCE Dissolves International Counter-Strike Roster to Launch Ambitious Rebuild Centered on Homegrown Finnish Talent

ENCE benches its entire CS2 roster to return to its Finnish roots. Learn about the new long-term plan to rebuild with local talent and podi's transfer status.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 12, 2026, 11:37 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Dot Esports

A Strategic Reset in the Face of Ecosystem Challenges

In a sudden move that has sent ripples through the Counter-Strike community, ENCE announced the immediate benching of its main roster and coaching staff, including head coach enkay J. The organization revealed that this decision stems from the increasing difficulty of maintaining a top-tier international presence within the current esports landscape. By moving away from the global mix-team model, ENCE intends to implement a long-term perspective that prioritizes sustainability and local brand identity. The announcement, made via the organization’s official social media channels, confirmed that all current players have been made available for transfer as the search for new talent begins.

The Departure of a Rising Finnish Star

One of the most notable aspects of the roster dissolution is the benching of Paavo “podi” Heiskanen, the team’s talented Finnish AWPer. Despite the organization's move toward a Finnish-centric future, podi has expressed a desire to continue competing at the highest level of international Tier 1 Counter-Strike. As a high-value prospect in a market currently experiencing a shortage of elite snipers, podi is expected to attract significant interest from major global organizations. His departure signifies that ENCE’s new chapter will likely start with younger, developmental talent rather than established stars seeking immediate international trophies.

Recapturing the Legacy of the IEM Katowice Era

ENCE’s decision is deeply rooted in a desire to return to the heights achieved during the Aleksi “Aleksib” Virolainen and Aleksi “allu” Jalli era. That legendary all-Finnish lineup famously reached the Grand Finals of the IEM Katowice 2019 Major, sparking the global "#EZ4ENCE" cultural phenomenon. Since the departure of that core, the organization has experimented with various international iterations, including a successful period led by Marco “Snappi” Pfeiffer that culminated in an IEM Dallas 2023 title. However, the subsequent loss of key players to larger budget teams like Falcons left ENCE in a cycle of rebuilding that the management has now chosen to end in favor of a domestic focus.